Govt moves to diversify genetics of narra, rattan

The government has embarked on a robust “genetic diversity” program of the endangered narra and industrial tree rattan as a commitment to conserve forests amid seemingly irreversible deforestation that threatens economic resources.

The Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau (ERDB) has started carrying out DNA analysis of the economically important tree species as a long-term support to the National Greening Program (NGP) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). The ERDB is under the DENR.